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Indians are back in championship game of state baseball tourney

By Danny Udero

Posted:
05/16/2013 02:03:47 PM MDT

BAYARD - After a loss in the championship game at Isotopes Park in Class 3A last year, the Indians vowed to get back. The Cobre High baseball team realized that Thursday with a 16-6 win over Mesilla Valley in the semifinals of the Class 2A New Mexico High School State Baseball Championships at Cleveland High in Rio Rancho.

"This is one of the goals we set for ourselves when we lost last year," head coach Artie Sanchez said. "We are back at Isotopes Park, and we are very excited and happy at the same time."

Going into Thursday's game, the Indians were 2-1 against the Sonblazers this year. But, jumping out front early and keeping the pace was what helped Cobre get passed Mesilla Valley in five innings of play. The Indians pushed five runs across home plate in each of the first two innings, while the Sonblazers scored just a run apiece.

The third inning saw Mesilla Valley add two runs, but Cobre countered with four of its own to take a 14-4 lead. The Sonblazers pushed two runs across home plate in the top of the fourth, but the Indians would add a single run in the bottom of the inning and then come back with a single run in the bottom of the fifth to end the game on the 10-run rule.

"The kids hit the heck out of the ball," Sanchez said. "It feels good. They played very well on a very tough day."

"The team dedicated this game to him and his family. Tomorrow it's for his grandma. Hopefully we can do the same and get the same outcome."

Hitting for Cobre were Chris Thomas, 3-for-5, with a double, a triple and an RBI; Regan Ramos, 3-for-4; Nick Salas, 3-for-4, with five RBIs; Claudio Salinas, 3-for-4; Tre' Sanchez, 1-for-3; and Chris Molina, 1-for-3, with an RBI.

Andy Gomez started the game and went four innings. He gave way to Chico Perez in the fifth.

The Indians were to face the winner of No. 12 Texico and No. 8 Loving. Loving knocked off top-seeded East Mountain, 12-5, in the quarterfinals while Texico defeated No. 4 Eunice, 11-1.

The championship game is slated for noon Saturday at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque.